Table construction with reversible top



May 6, 1958 Filed Nov 15, 1956 C. J. LAWLESS TABLE CONSTRUCTION WITH REVERSIBLE OP INVENTOR 2 Sheets-Shet 1 May 6, 1958 c. J. LAWLESS 2,833,609

TABLE CONSTRUCTION WITH REVERSIBLE TOP Filed Nov. 15, 1956 2 Sheets-Sht 2 III/I Low/ass I Clement J INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent TABLE CONSTRUCTION WlTI-I REVERSIBLE TOP Clement J. Lawless, Kingston, Ontario, Qanada Application November 15, 1956, Serial No. 622,355

2 Claims. (Cl. 311-35) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in furniture construction, and more specifically to an improved table of the convertible type.

The. primary object of this invention is to provide an improved convertible table construction which includes a top which is reversible whereby the table may be converted as is necessary or desired from one type to another.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved convertible table, the table including a reversible top, the top having a smooth surface and the opposite side being provided with a rotating portion in the form of a Lazy Susan.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved table construction, the table including a supporting frame and a top member, the top member being removably carried by the supporting frame and being reversible so that two different types of tables may be formed from the one table construction.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved table construction which permits a single table to be converted from an ordinary type table to a table having a built in Lazy Susan, the table including a top member which is removably carried by a supporting frame, the top member being so mounted on the supporting frame whereby it may be removed from the supporting frame, reversed, and then again supported by the supporting frame.

These together with other objects and advantages which will subsequently become apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the table construction which is the subject of this invention and shows the table in its Lazy Susan state;

Figure 2 is an enlarged plane, view of the Figure 1 with a portion of the top member being broken away in order to show the general details of the construction of the top member as well as the details of the Lazy Susan mounted therein;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially from the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure 1 and shows both the details of the Lazy Susan" construction and the relationship between the top member and the supporting frame of the table;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the top member portions of the top member being broken away and shown in section in order to clearly illustrate the details of construction of the top member;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded perspective view of one corner of the table and shows the specific relationship between the top member and the supporting frame;

Figure 6 is a perspective view on a reduced scale show- Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view taken substantially from the plane indicated by the section line 77 of Figure 2 and shows the details of a latch construction for retaining the top member in a fixed position with respect to the supporting frame.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated a table construction which is the subject of this invention, the table being referred to in general by the reference numeral Ill. The table 10 includes a supporting frame, which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 12, and a top member, which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 14. I

The top section of the supporting frame 12 includes a pair of longitudinal frame members 16 which are transversely spaced. Secured to the inner faces of the longitudinal frame members 16 are channel shaped track members 18, the channel shaped track members 18 opening inwardly towards each other, as is best illustrated in Figures 3 and 5.

Disposed at opposite ends of each of the longitudinal frame members 16 and extending downwardly therefrom in depending and suitably secured relation are legs 2t). The supporting frame 12 is completed by transverse frame members 22 disposed at opposite ends of the supporting frame 12. The transverse frame members 22 underly the opposite ends of the track members 18 and abut against the upper portions of the legs 20, as is best illustrated in Figure 5.

Referring now to Figure 4 in particular, it will be see that there is illustrated the details of construction of the top member. The top member 14 includes a pair of longitudinal frame members 24 which are disposed and spaced in parallel relation. The frame members 24 are connected to their intermediate ends by intermediate transverse frame members 26. The ends of the longitudinal frame members 2 are connected together by end transverse frame members 28.

As is best illustrated in Figure 5, the outer edge portion of the longitudinal frame members 24 are provided with opposed longitudinal recesses 30. Seated in the recesses 34) are elongated shoes 32. The shoes 32 are in the formof fiat straps which are suitably secured to the longitudinal frame members 24, and are completely recessed therein.

Secured to one side of the frame members 24, 26 and 23 is a flat panel 34. The panel 34 forms one uninterrupted surface of the table construction 10. Secured to the opposite face of the frame members 24, 26, and 28 is a panel 36. The panel 36, as is best illustrated in Figure 2, is provided with a circular opening 38 in the central part thereof. Seated in the opening 38 is a rotatable portion 4i) which is circular in outline, the rotation portion 40 being in the form of a Lazy Susan.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4 in particular, it will be seen that extending between the intermediate transverse frame members 26 is a longitudinally extending strap 42. The strap 42 having secured thereto an upstanding spindle 44. Secured to the under side of the rotating portion 40 is a journal member 46 in which there is disposed a bearing 48 mounted on the spindle 44.

in order to further facilitate the supporting of the 1 be seen that the panels 34 and 36 are narrower than the overall Width of the top member 14 and that they terminate along their side edges coplanar with the inner edges of the shoes 32. The reason for this will be clearly set forthhereinafter.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 3 inparticular, it will be seen" that the table construction 16 is illustratedwith the top member 14 so positioned in the supporting frame 12 wherebythe panel 36 is dispo-scduppermost. It is to be noted that the panel member, 36 has the upper surface thereof coplanar with the upper surface of the tract; members 1.8 and the longitudinal frame members 16. Such a construction is feasible by making the spacing between the upper surface of the respective shoe 32 positioned a distance belowthe'upper surface of the'panel 36 equal to the thickness of the flanges of the track members 18. The remote surfaces of the shoes 32 are spaced apart adistance slightly less than the distance between the opposed surfaces of the flanges of the track members Also, the track members 18 are spaced apart a posed coplanar with theupper surfaces of the track mernberslS and the longitudinal frame member 16. When one desires a table construction 10 to have the Lazy Susan portion exposed, then the panel 36 is disposed uppermost as it is best illustrated in Figure 1. On the other hand, when it is desired that the table construction 10 be of the plain type, then the panel 34 is disposed uppermost.

The top member 14 is reversed by merely sliding it out of the track members 18, turning it over and then sliding it back into the track member 18,

Inorder that the top member 14 maybe retained relative to the supporting frame 12, there is secured in adjacent ends of the longitudinal frame members 24 latches 58. Latches 58 are mounted on ends 60 and are spling urged by a spring 62. The end portions of the longitudinal frame members 24 are cut away as at 64 to accommodate the latch members 58. The shoes 32 are provided with aligned slots 66. Although only one of the slots 66 are used, by constructing the frame members 24 as shown, the frame members 24 may be mass produced on the same frame member used as the left and right frame member.

Formed in the lowermost flange of each track member 18 is a slot 68 which will align with one of the slots 66. The latch member 53 passes downwardly through the aligned slots 66 and 68 to retain the top member 14 within the confines of the supporting frame 12.

From the foregoing description of table construction 10, it will be readily apparent that there has been devised a table construction which may be readily converted, from a plain type table to a table having 3. Lazy Susan mounted therein. It is to be understood that the particular construction of the table 16 is not intended to be limited to tables, but may be incorporated in other types of furniture construction, including tops of coffee tables, dining room furniture other than the tables, bedroom furniture, etc.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those sl;i cd in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

s /hat is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A table construction comprising a supporting frame and a top member, said supporting frame comprising a pair of transversely spaced longitudinal frame members, depending legs at opposite ends of said frame members, said longitudinal frame members having inner faces, channel shaped open-ended and uninterrupted track mcmbers secured to said inner faces, said tracit incm s opening inwardly towards each other, transverse frame members underlying said track members and connecting together said longitudinal frame members, said top memberhaving reduced side edges slidably mounted in track members, said top member being of the reversible type, said longitudinal frame member, said tracl; members and said top member having coplanar upper surfaces.

2. A table construction comprising a supporting frame including supporting legs, a top member, said top member being of the reversible type, lock means on said top member eagageable With said frame for removably retaining said top member in said frame, said top member including opposed surfaces of different types, one of said surfaces being planar, the other of said surfaces including a Lazy Susan rotatably mounted therein, said sup porting frame including spaced opposed parallel openended side track members, opposite side edges of said top member being slidably mounted in said track members, said lock means including at least one finger releaseablelatch on the table member engageable with a cooperating portion of one of said track members for locking said table member in said supporting frame against longitudinal displacement in said track members.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 161,502 Gilbert Mar. 30, 1875 1,850,420 Schuldt Mar. 22, 1932 2,079,737 Greenway May 11, 1937 2,102,449 Zimmerman Dec. 14, 1937 2,235,660 Wiepert Mar. 18, 1941 2,292,016 Scovil o. Aug. 4, 1942 2,470,165 Hartzler May 17, 1949 

